How to speed up Adobe Acrobat on macOS Catalina?

I agree 100% that some Abode apps are greedy. Acrobat has evolved from useful to kludgy.

However, before you toss the computer in the wheelie bin, my curiosity like to see a couple of items about your iMac.

1—Please do "About this Mac..." from your Apple menu:

Please tell us two things from that window: the entries for SUB-MODEL and for PROCESSOR. However please 👉🏻DO NOT👈🏻 post your serial number here.

2—are you running any anti-virus or so-called "cleaning" apps, or client-side VPNs?

Our knowing the sub-model will help us see if your have one the crippled "educational/institutional" 21.5-inch iMacs made after 2012. They had downgraded hardware to make the price more attractive to bulk buyers with minimal performance requirements. I ask because if you have one of those, I cannot justify repairing or even trying to speed it up. You can't fix designed-in underperformance.

That’s because your Adobe version can’t be updated because your Mac won’t go beyond Catalina. Your choices are hard and expen$ive admittedly, but replacing your Mac (which will resolve) is one you won’t regret. Just do it.

It’s a beaut for sure, a classic. I have the exact same iMac and I can understand not wanting to let go.

What you might consider is buying a dedicated Windows machine and using your Mac to access it with over the network with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop app. That way you can have the look and feel of your Mac without the performance hassles.

Before considering that option, make sure you are comfortable with working over a home network and either have or can download the app from the App Store.

Adobe on Mac is the OS version of the “The War of the Roses” (except there’s no end to it). Running it on a dedicated Windows machine is best.

Separately, Catalina is now a constantly-erupting volcano, ashes everywhere. To avoid, replace your Mac with new (or constantly seek shelter).

Good luck!

Thank you. You indeed have a top-of-spec model. I'm found of the i7 option as well.